WHAT TO TAKE TO NEW LA CIENEGA (WEST HOLLYWOOD) LOCATION........

I used to know what my customer base would be buying, but over the past few years it has become very difficult to know what "will sell". "Great" used to always be "great" and saleable--but now, it's hard to tell--a super period 18th c. item may languish, while a vintage piece will sell for big bucks. 
So with this in mind, I'm making choices based on 20th century pieces, with a few period pieces thrown in.
I'll take two of my set of four Tomlinson Horseshoe chairs that date to the late 1950's.
  

  

My pillows made from vintage and antique Fortuny fabrics...and the pair of mid-century lacquered chests.
  

  

This wonderful set of c. 1960-70 brass and glass nesting tables.

  

This complete vignette composed of a marble roman style bust, Marbro lamps and a lacquered French demi-lune console (one of a pair)...plus the 17th c. Dutch mirror.

And, of course, my funky French Moderne Chauffeuse and 17th c. French side table.....

I'll add in some mid-20th c. lighting.

I think that will do it for the moment. The space is not large and I do not want to fill it too full--to the point of not being able to see what is available. 
OOPS....forgot about the Dorothy Draper (all original condition) Espana Tables..........
   

MIA UPDATE
Grace and Mia left for Tennessee yesterday. A few tears from Lauren and Kaia--but they are spending time with Auntie Dao and loving it.

Have a super summer week--wish me cool weather for the move--it can go either way here in Los Angeles--either blazing hot or beautifully fresh and cool.

Mary & Jones (and Cole)
    (Luxie is going home this week)

One King's Lane--Vintage and Modern Sales

I have been associated (as a dealer) with One King's Lane for more than a year...last year I was able to sell mainly art. But boy, has One King's Lane come up in its offerings on the Vintage and Modern section. I took a break from posting items to the site when I moved to my new location and in just those few months the One King's Lane platform has evolved into a premier tier venue. They have really done their homework and have managed to line up many of the top US designers and shop owners for their Taste Maker Tag Sales--but the same applies to the shops that have been admitted to the regular Vintage and Modern platform--there  are so really great member dealers (including moi).

My French Opaline Lamps are about to be available on OKL (I think tomorrow)

As are my mid-century Marbro lamps...........

And finally, this cute Carved and gilt chinese wall or table lantern.

One King's Lane has become very detail oriented and vets every single item that they offer. The process of simply having the photos meet the OKL specifications is laborious....but I am glad that OKL is making quality its no. 1 priority.

Jones says"hi"--he hates it when I spend my day taking photos, but he never complains about dinner.

Have a wonderful Friday!!

Mary & Jones

ME AND RALPH LAUREN--UPDATE II

I just thought I'd update my last post with a couple of photos of the Red Lacquer table with a little added jewelry. 

I paired the table with my Marbro Chinoiserie lamps. The contrast of the white with the red table is great. (I managed to reduced the reflection on the table, too.)

***Note: When dealing with newly lacquered pieces it  is extremely important to let the lacquer breathe for about 10 days to 2 weeks before placing anything on the surface.

Wishing ya'll (I used to live in the South; so it's allowed) a great week-end--those of us in Southern Cal. need to make sure that we (and our pets) stay out of the sun and keep hydrated.

Thanks for joining us.

Mary (and Jones)

    

   

The Hunt....and an Update

    

I always preview the auctions that I intend to buy from the day before the actual auction. This 24-hour breather gives me time to ponder and research any item that I'm not quite sure of and to make bidding easier. Some times I end up buying those items that I scoped the day before; but other times, I end up buying completely different lots.  I really loved everything on this table.........but those enormous greyhounds (what I really loved) have been seen a million times--not a good idea. And then there was this fantastic pair of huge Baker Queen Anne-style wing chairs: I have nowhere to put them, and although huge, they remind me a little bit too much of my grandmother. There was a super pair of vintage leather tub chairs with great patina; how much was it going to cost to repair the slit to the leather? (Besides, I'm not allowed to buy any more chairs)

But I AM ALLOWED TO BUY MORE LAMPS---I spied these lovelies yesterday. They were marked as blanc de chine, which is a white fine porcelain and usually Chinese in origin. But these guys are glazed terra cotta and most probably Italian from the 1970's or 80's.  I was prepared to pay a lot of money for them as they are very big, in excellent condition and highly decorative--they just need shades (which are pricey and I insist on American-made).

But I paid a very fair price and they came home.

I wanted that little Criss Craft model boat--but forgot to bid because I was busy talking with my friends.  Rule No. 1 at Auctions: pay attention to the block (auctioneer) at all times (there are no friends at auctions).

I know that this chaise longue doesn't look like much, but it is pretty fantastic. And I didn't see it until today. As you can see, things get pretty messy at auctions and you really have to keep your eyes open. This chaise longue (yes, this is the real way that it is spelled--long chair in french)  probably dates to the 1920's, perhaps late 19th c. But the really interesting and cool thing about it is that someone upholstered it in very top quality platinum leather and tufted the back in a Napoleon III style (the chaise could be Napoleon III). Although the loose cushion was not button detailed, I am going to use the kidney pillow and have covered buttons made to further detail the cushion. Roberto is going to paint those squat "louis legs" in a high gloss black and this baby will really pop. Surprisingly (furniture gets abused at auctions), the leather is in excellent condition.  But I think I cheated: I AM NOT ALLOWED TO BUY CHAIRS--can we categorize this puppy as a sofa? Please.

Take a look at the French wood slat and iron folding chairs to the left of the chaise: these 6 chairs (2 with arms) sold for about $1400. That is a huge amount of money when you consider that they all need some restoration and the dealer will aim to make a profit. But the amount does tell you what is HOT, and today it was those French folding chairs. (I wonder what they would cost at the Marche aux Puces?)

  

I really wanted this c. 1970-80's lucite, chrome and smoked glass tea cart. It is gorgeous and I was willing to go to the mat for it. But a friend, a top Los Angeles dealer in modern, bid it to $1500 plus 15% lot fee----that was way beyond my highest hopes. 

And I even got MORE STUFF and I have NO ROOM--my mover was yelling at me because he didn't have any floor space left to place stuff. But Dennis is a dream and I will beg and plead for Roberto to give me a couple of hours tomorrow and everything will work out fine.

     ******U P D A T E******

  

I sold these amazing Marbro lamps on Sunday--I think that I am still in shock as I really loved these lamps and I had planned to have a more extended relationship with them. But cash flow is fantastic.  And I am really glad I did because I told Dennis to place the gilt Belle Epoque marble top carved Italian gilt console upside down on this coffee table.......

More about the console in next post after I find a place to put it. It is pretty great, although not my usual style.

  

   

NEXT UPDATE. Sergei did not answered his phone for three weeks and I had started to get very nervous about my Alabaster Marbro Lamps. Fortunately, Roberto had his new number  (who knew that Sergei has two numbers?). It is now 5 months into the Alabaster Lamps journey---see what I mean, dealers really do earn their money.  Sergei promised to bring the lamps back on Saturday......... (and I had wanted to get my hair cut)..........I am not leaving the shop until Sergei shows up.

 (All I want is for Sergei to patina the lamp on the right to match the one on the left--is that asking too much???)

I hope that everyone has had a great week--the rain in So. California has been wonderful--it even held off until the evening when I didn't have to be on the freeways--God is definitely good.

Thanks for joining me on the hunt. More details are coming.

Mary and Jones (he's getting his hair cut on Saturday--handsome boy that he is) (and Cole).

Amazing Marbro Lamps--True Love

Marbro Mid-Century Brass Lamps

I'm bragging....I can't help it. I just acquired this unbelievably stunning pair of super large Marbro Lamps WITH THEIR ORIGINAL SILK APPLIQUED SHADES. I have never seen a pair of original early 1960's shades (that is 50 years) in this condition--only one faint spot which I think will come out. The brass casting and chiseling work is top notch with the applied patina and finish retaining its original surface. The lamps even retain their original finials (which are too high up for me to photograph. I'll give you some detailed images that will highlight the quality of craftmanship.

Detail photos of custom brass base showing a traditional chinese form, but incorporating Egyptian motifs.  

 

Brief history of Marbro Lamps: shortly after World War II the Markoff brothers began creating their unique and highly sought after custom lamps. Marbro lamps were designed and fabricated using only the highest quality porcelains imported from Europe and Japan,  Murano glass, custom brass pieces, European crystal and bronze. The custom shades were also designed by the Markoff brothers with each shade individually designed for specific lamps which were created in the Marbro factory located in South Los Angeles. The majority of the lamps were one-of-a-kind. Marbro lamps were sold exclusively through decorators, architects and very high end furniture stores. In the early 1990s the company was sold and shortly thereafter ceased operations. Marbro lamps are today highly desirable and demand premium prices.

These fantastic mid-century brass lamps measure an incredible 50" h, including the finial (original). They would be perfect paired with a mid-century table not too much over 24" in height--or on custom pedestals which would make a huge statement.

I have had other pairs of outstanding Marbro lamps and these are right up there with the best. I have a super and very large pair of Marbro lamps in carved alabaster that I will highlight on my next post.

Thanks for joining me on this adventure.

Mary, Jones and Cole